Bolling Field, Washington DC airshow 1950's

Mudge · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 10:40 am

I bet on late 40s ('49?) since there's an F-86 in the last picture.
I lived about 10 miles down the Potomac from there from '47 to '55. Those twin stacks in the background are the power plant in Alexandria, VA.

Mudge the geezer

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7802

The Inspector · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 11:42 am

CHASE YC-122 and an early F3D SKYKNIGHT, F-94B, XC-120, short wing Albatross-a really shiny B-25 and A-26. Look at how oil and exhaust stained the ramp area is, any idea what the 'bull ring' in the distance is?

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7802

K5DH · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 12:54 pm

Had to be at least 1950. The XC-120 and F-94B first flew in 1950.

I agree with Mark. Dress, manners, etiquette all indicative of a public who respected the military and treated events like this as a special privelege.

CoastieJohn · **Joined:** Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:37 pm **Posts:** 1380

Me thinks this airshow is at least sometime after 1951, probably later. The pic showing a small boat next to what looks like an HU-16 is actually an early version UF-1G (#1261). Here's a better pic of her from 1955 over San Juan, PR. The small boat and the aircraft are U.S. Coast Guard. Go Coast Guard!!

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7802

Rauhbatz · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 4:15 pm

Better take some good pics at the 2012 Andrews show as well...heard from my Dixie Wing gang that DOD is no longer funding the show and its going to move to every other year...

Does not bode well from a future budget standpoint :shock:

Russ Blow · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 4:45 pm

My L 4 ended up at Bolling after it crashed on its ferry flight. It was there from 8/21/45 till 12/13/45 when they flew it to Ft. Sill. Took 45 days and 5 forced landings to get it there.

Always wondered if there were any pics of that time period of the field.

TEN · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 8:42 pm

The Inspector wrote:

any idea what the 'bull ring' in the distance is?

I'd say it's probably an area where they did some control line model demos or competition during the show.

Craig59 · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 8:48 pm

k5dh wrote:

Had to be at least 1950. The XC-120 and F-94B first flew in 1950.

Agree, Wiki states 11 August 1950 for first flight of the XC-120. And the first production USAF H-19 was delivered November 1951.

Do you have larger images available? Would love to see some SN's.

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7802

Chappie · **Joined:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am **Posts:** 987

Great old photo from the air. Many of those old buildings and hangars are still there. For several months in 2006 I stayed at Bolling during UTA weekends. I drove and walked around the base (including Anatcostia) each time soaking in some history.

Chappie

JohnB · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2012 10:54 am

Craig59 wrote:

k5dh wrote:

And the first production USAF H-19 was delivered November 1951.

Considering it's parked next the the USCG Albatross, I bet the Sikorsky is CG as well. Like the AF, the USCG didn't get its first HO4S-1G until Nov. 1951. They were based at Brooklyn air station.
Jidging by the trees in bloom, I'd bet the photo was taken in the spring or summer of 1952.

BTW: I'm surprised the XC-99 could get into Bolling. I'd thought that had a short runway, at least compared to Andrews.

Warbird Information Exchange

Bolling Field, Washington DC airshow 1950's

Who is online